Make yourself a simple spinner out of a cardboard disk and a piece of string, then give it a whirl for a super-cool effect.
Spinners — sometimes called “button whirligigs”— are simple toys made by looping string through a button or other disk, twisting the string, then pulling on both ends to make it spin! These low-tech playthings have been made by many cultures; Indigenous peoples in North America made them out of clay or bone and a thin strip of hide. Spinners surged in popularity during the Great Depression, because they were easy to make from recycled materials. Find out firsthand why spinners are such a timeless childhood favourite. Make your own spinner, then choose from one of our patterns or create an original design for a kinetic work of art to take home.
Jumpstart your imagination and stretch your creative-thinking skills with these workshops for ages 5 and up. Themes change regularly and are designed to foster creativity. These programs may be pre-empted by a special event.
Photo: Nina Buday